St. Moritz

St. Moritz ski: Complete guide

Ski resort figures

Slopes

152

of slopes

ski pass

45-100

Day ski pass for adult

Slope difficulty

44

of blue slopes

Blue slope

84

of red slopes

Piste rouge

20

of black and yellow slopes

Black slope

Altitude

1856

village

3057

peak

Snow cover

80

of the ski resort is snow-sure

Skiing in St. Moritz

The most prestigious of all winter sports capitals

Sought by jet-setters for its posh after-dinners and high-end boutiques and by businessmen for its exclusive networking opportunities, St. Moritz undoubtedly fulfills its reputation as a luxury ski resort.

But the very birthplace of winter sports is much more than just glamour and glitter. Nature has put its most beautiful winter coat on here: St. Moritz lays in Engadin, a long valley made up of frozen lakes in the midst of pine forests and snow-capped peaks. Protected by its high mountain range, the valley enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year and above average snowfall throughout the season. The ski slopes are diverse and carefully prepared, with some excellent runs for intermediate skiers and carving experts. Beginners and non-skiers are also spoiled; learning areas, schools and many activities in addition to skiing are dedicated to them.

Overall St. Moritz will not only impress the experienced skiers, but also all those seeking a sophisticated lifestyle and fine dining options, even on the slopes.

The ski area

Olympic-level alpine skiing

The entire ski area lies between 2,000m and 3,057m above sea level. The snow cover is therefore guaranteed throughout the season. The resort consists of a main area, Corviglia, completed by two smaller but excellent areas: Corvatsch and Diavolezza-Lagalb.

Corviglia

The south-facing Corviglia area is equally accessible either by funicular from St. Moritz Dorf and by cable car from St. Moritz Bad. Well balanced, it is suitable for all levels of skiers but will particularly please advanced intermediates thanks to the many red slopes and a handful of more challenging blacks ones. The world-class slopes are particulary very well prepared. Some of them have been serving at the World Ski Championships and the Olympic Games.

The connoisseurs will also appreciate the many first-class bars and restaurants scattered along the slopes. Corviglia is the largest and most accessible skiing area in the St. Moritz region. Thus it is also the busiest during peak periods.

Copyright: Filip Zuan / Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus

Beginners

The learning area located above the village is reserved for ski schools. The same goes for the neighbouring village of Celerina, also connected to the same skiing area. For beginners and children without a ski school, you will need to take the funicular to get to the blue slopes.

Intermediate and advanced skiers

Good skiers who spend a few days in the Engadine should also visit the other, less frequented skiing areas for some of the resorts best runs and splendid views of the valley.

Copyright: Filip Zuan / Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus

Corvatsch

The skiing area of Corvatsch can be reached from Silvaplana, a small village connected to St. Moritz by a ski bus (20 min). Facing north, it has the best snow cover in the entire resort.

Culminating at 3’300m on the Corvatsch glacier, its long red slopes will delight good skiers wanting to avoid crowds. It is worth mentioning that this is the longest illuminated slopein Switzerland, opened every Friday evening including concerts and après-ski.

Diavolezza-Lagalb

The area can be reached from St. Moritz by train or bus in 35 minutes. Its long spectacular red and black runs from the glacier at 3,000m is most suitable for advanced skiers.

Copyright: Filip Zuan / Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus

How to get to St. Moritz?

Location and access

St. Moritz is located in the heart of the canton of Grisons, in the Engadine Valley. To get to the resort, it is necessary to go over a pass or take a train and many tunnels. The scenic journery, especially by train, is also significantly longer than for most of the Grisons resorts (2 hours from Chur).

The village is made up of two distinct parts. St. Moritz Dorf is the old town centre with a number of sophisticated hotels and restaurants. St. Moritz Bad, although home to some palaces and hotels, consists mainly of apartment blocks and sports centres of the resort.

From Zurich or from north-western Switzerland, first reach Landquart in the Grisons. From there two options are available to you:

  • The Julierpass pass is the fastest way. Winter tires, or even snow chains, are required depending on weather conditions. Check before your departure on the outward and return journey on www.strassen.gr.ch.
  • For less experienced drivers, wishing to avoid the ascent of a pass, it is possible to go through the Vereina tunnel. For this, head to Klosters-Selfranga, where you will have to load your car on the train to cross the tunnel (about 40 CHF, 20 minutes).

Car park
The most affordable car parks are the outdoor car parks in St. Moritz Bad near the cable car (CHF 5 per day) and in Celerina at the foot of the cable cars (CHF 5 per day).

Don’t miss the legendary alpine Albula train track, on the way to St. Moritz from Chur. This masterpiece of railway engineering is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the track meanders through dramatic landscapes, it crosses a river over the spectacular Landwasser bridge before getting straight into a tunnel in the heart of the mountain.

  • If you come from the west or north of Switzerland, first go to Chur railway station.
  • In Chur, take the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) train to St. Moritz.
  • You will arrive at St. Moritz train station, located just below the town centre. It is another 10 minutes on foot or 4 minutes by bus to reach St. Moritz Dorf.

Luggage
If you travel with bulky luggage and ski equipment: the Swiss Federal Railways (“SBB”) can transport your luggage or skis from major Swiss cities and airports for CHF 12 per luggage and per journey. You can then pick them up at St. Moritz train station. Please note, however, that there is a two-day delay between the delivery of the baggage and its arrival in St. Moritz. Ask at an SBB station ticket office ahead of time.

The closest international airport is Zurich Airport which is 3 hour away by car and 3h40 away by train.

Near St. Moritz, the Samedan airport has an airstrip for private jets. There is no regular passenger flights here.

Public transport from Zurich airport

  • Go down to the underground station of the airport and take one of the many trains to the main station (Zürich HB).
  • At Zürich HB, take the InterCity 3 in the direction of Chur.
  • In Chur, take the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) train to St. Moritz.
  • You will arrive at St. Moritz train station, located just below the town centre. It will take you 10 minutes on foot or 4 minutes by bus to reach St. Moritz Dorf.

The adult single trip without reduction costs CHF 80
Total travel time from Zurich airport: 3h40

In some cases, hotels offer shuttles between the several villages and areas of the ski area.

A bus network links the different skiing areas (Corviglia, Corvatsch, Diavoliezza-Lagalb) and the different villages (St. Moritz Dorf, St. Moritz Bad, Celerina, Silvaplana).

There are also trains running between St. Moritz, Diavolezza-Lagalb and Celerina.

Hotels in St. Moritz

The best hotels of the ski resort

Hotels are rather expensive compared to other Swiss ski resorts, mainly in the centre of St. Moritz Dorf. For more affordable, entry-level and mid-range hotels, look to St. Moritz Bad and Suvretta, both of which also have direct access to the ski area. The charming village of Silvaplana, connected to the Corvatsch area, is home to a number of charming hotels.

Count at least 2 to 3 nights to make your trip to St. Moritz worthwhile.

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